Versa 4 not working after firmware update

[woosh_wales]

Yesterday, I finally updated the Fitbit firmware after my phone had been persistently reminding me to do so for days.

This morning my Fitbit Versa 4 no longer works, has a black screen, when I press and hold to switch on, goes through the motions of a reset, flashing Fitbit logo, then a red X, and then a static Fitbit logo, then to black screen.  It is fully charged and no longer recognised by my phone.

I contacted Fitbit support, and they told me it's out of warranty and to buy a new one.  

Has anyone else encountered this? Is clear that the Fitbit firmware update has caused this.  Any suggestions on a way to reverse this, or has it killed my Fitbit?

Moderator edit: clarified subject.

[Den798]

Me too. I've factory reset several times in the past few days. After the reset, the Versa 4 seems to work for a day or two, then suddenly goes into the Fitbit logo flashing loop. An attempt to restart (not factory reset) results in the loop ending with the dreaded red "X". I can then do the factory reset--which lasts a day or two. It's a total PIA, since after the factory reset I have to delete the watch in the app and then set it up as a new watch. Does anyone have any idea how to resolve this once and for all, or how to roll back the last firmware update. My watch worked fine until about a month ago. Thanks--very frustrating. And for those giving up on the Fitbit, what are you getting instead that has similar capabilities, including linking to Alexa?

[Likita]

Same here, my watch stopped working after the update 

[JJG1971]

I finally bought a new one and it has the older version on it, but is now
wanting to update and I keep declining it.

[Fionaj666]

Absolitley agree with this user. My fitbit worked fine until the latest update and now I can wear for about 30 mins b4 it crashes and everything goes blank even though fully charged. I have been offer 35% to replace it but if you say they are built to last why should I spend an obscene amount of money on another watch. Surely something can be done to repair the issue. Ive always uses fit bits in the past but this has really put me off. Did find fitbit very useful at all. It was very much well watch is out of warranty here's a discount. Very off putting. Never had an issue before. Just since this latest update and looking at all the comments everyone is exactly the same so that should tell fitbit it's a general issue not an isolated issue. 

[wonks21]

Ever since the update, it doesn't track my sleep. I've tried holding the side button to restart and the logo just flashes and then a red X. 

If this is happening to a bunch of people, it's obviously something Fitbit has done!  Mine was working fine before the update and I just got my Fitbit in December.

[MarioSFitbit]

Hi @wonks21 and welcome to the Fitbit Community! 

I appreciate your message, and I'm sorry to hear that your Versa 4 is displaying a red X. Thank you for all the troubleshooting steps you tried so far. 

Could you please try these steps? 

1. Go to your mobile app and try to sync. You may see a message at the top indicating that your Versa 4 has an update available. If it appears, please complete the update by clicking Accept or Update Now.
2. If the update message does not appear when trying to sync, please go to the Gallery and check if the message appears now.
3. If the message still does not appear, please restart your Versa 4 by pressing the button on the left until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen.

[AuntieParrot]

I had the same thing happen to me. I've had my watch maybe 4 months and it's been sitting on my desk now for about 2. I can't figure out warranty and it sounds like it's time to move away from fitbits. I had my first Versa 2 for 4 years with no problems (till my toddler ripped the screen off while I was wearing it.. little turd.) I love my fitbit but doesn't seem theres a way to fix this and I wasted 200$ on something that didn't last even a year. --------

Moderator edit - word choice

[Kalanic51]

This "problem" has gone on for months and nothing has been resolved.

My Versa 4 was activated 13/2/2023 and first started this problem after the update. Others seem to have it happening at various times.

Fitbit has sold me and other versa 4 users a fitness tracker that is unfit for purpose

[zib6272]

Absolutely. I can’t get anywhere with chatting to these guys

[Kalanic51]

I've been trying for months and had given up and left it in a drawer. I've used a fitbit for years and loved this one. I got it back out of the drawer this morning for one last try

I've just been out walking ( something I would have used my fitbit for to track steps,  heart rate etc ) and was quite excited to see an update was available. How stupid I was as now after the update my fitbit is completely dead.

I give up and will advise people not to but any of fitbit products

[jonnyVTEC]

Dude, read the room - these are bricked devices! 

[cookie666]

Has anyone actually had a reply from FITBIT? My wife sounds like  she has same problem, had a big red X and now the thing won't switch on.

[Fionaj666]

Nope. Just keep getting fobbed off all the time. Offered 35%:off also but cant justify their prices at all. They've been no use what so ever.  

[Den798]

Nothing from Fitbit for me. Watch is now working different than when I
first posted, but still not working right. Now it appears to randomly go
dark and won't come back on until put on the changier even tho the battery
is at 40% or more. Attempts to restart after going dark result in the red
X. Total PIA.

[Skylane]

There are more issues that have cropped up. Nearly every time the app is updated, I have to update my stride distance. It is set for manual because if I let it go automatic, the distance the app sets is less than 18 inches. I have short legs, but not that short. Now someone’s bright idea is to have a scroller to set the distance in one inch increments rather than using a keyboard. That is too course of an adjustment. A screenshot is attached.

During an exercise, Elliptical for example, if you pause the exercise, it shows the peak heart rate rather than a continuous heart rate. The peak might be a nice statistic but during a recovery between sets, the actual heart rate is what I want to see. As such I have to wear a separate heart rate monitor which defeats the whole purpose of a tracker.

Also while the exercise is paused, you cannot change the main statistic. The only time you can change the main statistic is while the exercise is not paused. This is entirely different from my previous Versa.

I have attached a photo of the Versa 4 after steps were subtracted after the last sync. I also have a photo that shows the sync not completing after three minutes.

[Rlesamiz09]

Same issue.  The troubleshooting was just to clean the charging pins, check their alignment, and charge Fitbit.  Then to restart.  After that, since my Fitbit is no longer under warranty, they could give me a 35% discount.  My Fitbit was working fine up until a week ago.  Then it just started to quit.  I will charge it, it will work, then just quit working. Can't restart it. I just get the red X. 

[Rlesamiz09]

I wonder how many Versa 4 watch s have stopped working in the last 2 months?

[CentrevilleDad]

Unfortunately, I'm now a member of the Versa 4 "X" club.  My Fitbit App updated to Version 4.51.1 yesterday. Today, I updated my iPhone to latest version of iOS 18.7 and a few hours later, my Versa 4 vibrated, reflected a big red X, and then shut down. I tried a soft reset, but it wouldn't come on. Very disappointing.